[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO GEORGE C. EYRICH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of George 
C. Eyrich, a distinguished Cincinnati lawyer, public servant and 
friend, who passed away on April 15, 2003.
  George Eyrich was part of a family legacy of public service. He led 
the Hamilton County, Ohio Republican party for nine years with deft 
skill and gentle persuasion. His father, George F. Eyrich, Jr., also 
served as Hamilton County Republican Chairman and as a Municipal Court 
judge.
  George C. Eyrich was a good listener, a gentle man and a wise 
counselor. When someone remarked that he was ``too nice to be a 
politician,'' he responded that he just lived his words. George was the 
party chairman when I was a college student on the staff of the 
campaign of my predecessor in Congress, Bill Gradison, and for the 
later campaigns of President George H.W. Bush. He loved politics, and 
was a good mentor.
  A lifelong resident of the Cincinnati suburb of Westwood, he 
graduated from Western Hills High School, Ohio Wesleyan University; the 
Harvard College of Business; and the University of Cincinnati College 
of Law. George served our nation as a Second Lieutenant in the United 
States Navy stationed in the Pacific during World War II. He practiced 
law in Cincinnati as a partner in Wesselman & Eyrich.
  George served as treasurer of the Ohio State Central Committee; 
chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Central Committee's Policy 
Committee; and chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Elections. He 
was also very involved in civic affairs. He served as chairman of the 
Board of Trustees of St. Francis-St. George Hospital, and a member of 
the board of directors for the Public Library of Cincinnati and 
Hamilton County, the University of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati 
Central YMCA.
  Devoted to his wonderful family, George is survived by his wife of 60 
years, Gertrude (``Trudy''); a son, David; two daughters, Carole and 
Janet; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
  All of us in Cincinnati are grateful for George's leadership and 
public service and we feel blessed for having known him.

                          ____________________